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Clermont County temporarily lowers dog adoption fees as kennel faces overcrowding
Summary
After kennel staff reported a surge in large dogs and lower-than-usual adoptions, the Clermont County commissioners approved a temporary reduction in county-imposed dog adoption fees to $60 for dogs older than one year from Sept. 24 through Oct. 31, 2025.
Clermont County commissioners on Sept. 24 approved a temporary county resolution to lower dog adoption fees, a move animal shelter staff said is intended to ease overcrowding and staffing pressure at the county kennel.
The county adopted Resolution 153-25 to temporarily set county-imposed dog adoption fees at $60 for dogs older than one year for the period Sept. 24, 2025, through Oct. 31, 2025. The measure passed by roll call vote with Commissioners Corcoran, Bachelor and David Painter voting yes.
The change came after the kennel administrator told the commissioners the shelter had 44 dogs on-site as of Sept. 23 and that adoptions this month had dropped compared with prior months. "We have about 75 dogs come in a month on average," Kennel Administrator Kiara Swartz said. "Last month we had 88 dogs out the door. This month we've only had 32 leave. That puts serious pressure on staff." Swartz asked the board to temporarily reduce adoption fees through October to help manage a predicted rise in intake for the fall.
Kennel Supervisor Darlene Williams described operational stressors and steps staff have taken. She said the shelter is expanding outdoor kennels starting early next month to give more dogs access to outside space and noted that kennel staff have completed FEMA training so they can assist in broader disaster responses. "Our kennel staff and myself have done all their FEMA training," Williams said. "So if we have a national disaster, the kennel techs and myself can go help."
Commissioners moved the adoption fee request onto the agenda as an add-on and voted to adopt the temporary fee schedule during the same meeting. "Is that something we could take care of now by the... do that for the resolution to ... temporary lowering the county imposed dog adoption fees?" Commissioner Corcoran asked when proposing the add-on. The motion to add and the subsequent motion to adopt passed by roll call; the final adoption vote recorded three yes votes.
Shelter staff and commissioners also discussed volunteer support and promotional ideas to increase adoptions. Swartz said volunteers and temporary help from the sheriff's office trustees have been assisting with cleaning and care. In response to a suggestion from Commissioner Corcoran that the board and staff bring a dog to meetings for promotion, Swartz cautioned that long-term residents at the shelter sometimes need additional handling preparation but said the outreach would be welcome.
County officials and kennel staff thanked volunteers and community partners for ongoing support and urged residents interested in fostering or volunteering to attend the shelter orientation sessions described by staff.
The temporary fee reduction applies only for the stated dates; the shelter staff said they will continue to evaluate intake and adoption rates and report back to the board as needed.
